LANCASTER, Pa. — Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Lancaster.
According to the Lancaster City Bureau of Police, the shooting occurred just before 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Officers say they received a report of a domestic incident with shots fired in the 100 block of Hershey Avenue at 4:40 a.m. When police arrived at the scene, they found a man armed with a semiautomatic rifle, according to a preliminary report issued by the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office Wednesday afternoon.
Officers asked him to drop his weapon, and when he failed to comply, three officers fired their weapons, authorities said.
The man was struck and taken to a hospital for treatment, police said.
Steve Markley, who lives nearby, told FOX43 he heard two shots.
“I thought somebody had dropped something heavy," he described. "Sort of sounded like boards clapped together real loud.”
Investigators spent a lot of time Wednesday focusing on a brick house at the corner of Hershey Avenue and St. Joseph Street, placing upwards of 20 evidence markers around the home and in the streets.
The 100 block of Hershey Avenue, between High and Saint Joseph Street, and the 1100 block of St. Joseph Street, between Hershey Avenue and Euclid Avenue, were closed for more than nine hours on Wednesday.
People who live in the neighborhood and spoke with FOX43 say it's unusual for this part of the city.
“It’s a pretty quiet neighborhood with the school zone and everything," said Steve Markley. "Everyone’s pretty friendly.”
“It’s beautiful. All the neighbors pretty much know each other," added Orlando Ortiz. "There’s peace when you walk at night. The neighborhood is awesome.”
Officers say the shooting is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.
The involved officers have been put on administrative leave until the investigation is concluded, as any officer involved in a shooting is, per Bureau policy.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, District Attorney Heather Adams said the man who was shot was armed with a semiautomatic rifle that he pointed at arriving police officers. He allegedly fired at some of the officers and pointed it at others while ignoring commands to drop the weapon.
Body camera footage provided by one of the officers depicted the man walking to the front yard of the home and raising the weapon to a firing position, pointing it at the officer and ignoring commands to drop the weapon.
At that point, three other officers shot at the man, Adams said.
The district attorney noted that the investigation is in its preliminary stages and additional information will be released "when appropriate."
Adams will make a determination on whether the officers' actions were justified at a later date, she added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office at 717-299-8100 and ask to speak with a detective.